Effect of media properties on prediction of moisture redistribution at a high-level nuclear waste repository
- Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory Analysis, San Antonio, TX (United States)
The hydraulic characteristics of porous media can have a profound effect on the redistribution and flux of moisture driven by heat generated from high-level nuclear waste (HLW) emplaced at the proposed geologic repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. In particular, material characteristics that govern flow through partially saturated media greatly affect the redistribution of moisture within the host rock surrounding the repository. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of changes in the values of the hydraulic properties assigned to the nonwelded Paintbrush (PTn) and vitric, nonwelded Calico Hills (CHnv) units, located above and below the repository horizon, respectively, on the repository environment in terms of predicted saturation and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity values. Specific properties evaluated in this analysis include the saturated permeability and two parameters used to define flow through partially saturated media, the van Genuchten a and n parameters. The importance of changes in the property values of these units is assessed by comparing their attendant saturations and unsaturated hydraulic conductivities resulting from the redistribution of moisture, particularly in the units below the repository horizon, resulting from the emplacement of heat-generating HLW at the geologic repository.
- OSTI ID:
- 426539
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-961103--
- Journal Information:
- Transactions of the American Nuclear Society, Journal Name: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society Vol. 75; ISSN TANSAO; ISSN 0003-018X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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